Marxism Theory of the State - Essay Example

MARXISM THEORY OF THE Marxism s use different approaches during governance. The choice concerning the governance approach depends on the appeal of citizens within the population. Presently, the most common approaches to governance are pluralism, marxism, democracy and elitism. Authorities around the globe use the approaches though there are several contradictions in their application. For instance, Marxism has different impacts compared to pluralism and elitism. However, Marxism is still the preferred theory for governance in countries like Russia and China. Supporters of Marxism in Russia argue that it creates balance in the society compared to pluralism and elitism1. Marxists advocate for the institution of political and legal structures that create a classless society. Karl Marx and Engels devised the theory after conducting several studies on the dynamics that shape the society. The two philosophers formulated the theory at a time when governments were struggling with political, social and economic structures in the society. The theory was an alternative to leadership that was failing in the society. Marx recommended the theory because it provided solutions to challenges that faced pluralism, elitism and feudalism. Based on initial literature review processes, it appears that Marxism is the most convincing theory for governance. Marxism political system Marxism is a theory that puts the society into classes based on their economic capabilities. According to the theory, everyone in the society has a fundamental role to play in enhancing stability of the state2. The theory is opposed to totalitarian rule when the state has autonomy in controlling the social political and economic aspects of peoples’ life. Marx argues that discomfort of the masses has the possibility of destabilizing the society. Therefore, Marx suggests that measures should be enacted to enhance understanding amid different classes of the society. In Marxism, the classes are based on the individual’s access to the means of production. People who have the capacity to manipulate the factors of production are at the top of the class. The second group is the middle class identified as those who control the factors of production, but lack sufficient control as the upper class. The last group is the lower classes who partake in the production but they receive fewer benefits from the process. Authority serves at the behest of the class that owns wealth in a classified society. According to the theory, instability in the society results from class struggle. This means that there can never be peace as long as a particular group of people is dissatisfied with the administration. A need arises for people in authority to formulate measures for creating a balance in society to prevent conflicts from arising3. According to Marx, a shift in power is likely to happen whenever a particular class feels that the authorities do not represent their interests. Marxist approach allows individuals to take control of the factors of production in the society4. The theory enhances stability in the society because it encourages individuals to produce wealth that can be used by the community. According to Marx and Engels, the theory makes it easy for the ruling class to maintain stability in the society by quelling any form of discomfort among the classes in the society. According to theory, a State is the authority that takes control over the other classes. The State is responsible for controlling the factors of production. Politics play a significant role in influencing economic activities of the classes. Interestingly, the ruling class constitutes the minority in the populace in several instances. However, the ruling class is influential based on their economic capability. The ruling class thrives at the ignorance of the middle class who comprise the bulk of the population yet they lack the capacity to control the State. Given their numerical strength, they can overthrow the government at will but they are unsuccessful because they lack unity. The application of Marxism will reduce cases of struggles in the society. Reasons that make Marxism convincing Marxism is most convincing because of the advantages that are likely to arise once it is applied. It prevents the eruption of social conflicts the might result from discomfort among the masses. States that use the theory have reported few instances of rebellion against the governments5. This means that the theory helps in detecting weaknesses in the economic structures at an earlier stage. In Cuba, the government has benefited from using the theory because it creates a balance. Additionally, the masses understand their role in the development of the country. As a result, the government acknowledges the efforts of its citizens in the development of the country. China has also succeeded in using the approach to leadership. However, they still face resistance form some quarters of the population who advocate for pluralism and capitalism. Marxism theory is convincing because it describes the stages of development that shape the society. Consequently, it gives example of conflicts in the society that are based on class struggles. As opposed to capitalism, Marxism provides a description of the economic activities that influence behavior of individuals in the society6. The theory explains the current discomfort among the masses in the US. Additionally, the theory explains the causes of past historical events like the French revolution by giving a systematic investigation of the processes that led to the revolution. In France, the revolution begun as a class struggle because the ruling elite had failed to address the challenges that were facing the middle class in the society. Instead, they were focusing on issues that affecting the ruling class at the expense of the other classes in the society. At the time of the revolt, the ruling class lacked control because they did not control the factors of production as they did before the revolution. The overthrow of the monarch in France is a classical case of the struggle attributable to elitism theory in leadership. It is evident that Marxism supports change that leads to development in the society. Karl Marx argued that societies that discriminate against some of its members should undergo revolution. This means that the theory advocates for equity. According to the theory, leadership can enhance fairness in the society by adhering to the principles of Marxism. Indeed, Marxism also supports violence when championing the rights of individuals neglected over a long period by the government. This is because the ruling power has the capacity to control activities such as elections that directly affect the livelihood of individuals. Marxist is convincing because it allows individuals to control the factors of production in the society7. The other theories are less convincing because they deny people some of their rights by limiting their bargain power. For example, the laborers have a little bargaining power in pluralism though they are responsible for production activities in the society. Stability in China is attributable to the use of Marxist approach to leadership. There have been few cases of revolt by the masses in the country, since the communist party took control in that country. This is an indication that Marxist theory is working in China. The theory has also reduced struggles in China. It would have been difficult for China to attain stability had they used an approach that is different from Marxism. According to the theory, struggles in societies that use capitalism are attributable to poor leadership. This is because of the difficulty to foster understanding in societies where the government has divided the society into classes. Marxism is applicable in societies because a majority of people in the society prioritizes wealth acquisition in their pursuits. It is appropriate for governments that focus on wealth creation to embrace Marxism to minimize discomfort and misunderstanding among individuals in the population8. This is because challenges in the societies arise from the differences in the needs within the different classes of people. Governments need to monitor wealth creation to limit misunderstandings in the society to create balance in the society. For instance, there has to be a government that controls the factors of production and wealth distribution in the society. An understanding amid individuals in the society is fundamental in the quest to attain satisfaction. Consequently, Marx referred to the needs of individuals as class needs. Several conflicts in the society are caused by class struggles as evidenced from a historical perspective. Marxism supports the idea of having a classless society that allows individuals to feel comfortable with one another. This will limit instabilities arising from class struggles. According Karl Marx, people are only comfortable when they feel that they can control of their lives. This makes Marxism an effective approach because it advocates for mutual understanding in the society. Marxism theory is appropriate because it exposes the weaknesses of the other theories. It creates an opportunity for all to progress in the society. Moreover, it creates a balance in the society that allows growth to be gradual. The middle class are responsible for causing revolts in the society. Governments should address their needs when intending to maintain stability in the society according to the theory. The only confusing factor in Marxism is its inability to elaborate the suitable approaches of instituting government. It focuses on the exploitation of the laborers by the owners of factors of production9. The theory fails to support the integration of different approaches in governance yet success is only achievable through integration that creates stability in the society. Economic activities shape individuals behavior in the society and Marxist nation’s places value on the production process. In Russia, the state was concerned with people driven activities. Hence, wealth creation is a collective activity in Russia. Developments that have taken place in Russia were driven by the desire for wealth creation. The government eliminated the confusion that caused struggles in the society10. An example is the recent revolutions that took place in Arab countries. The middle class were angered by the actions of the ruling class. They opted to revolt in order to correct the ill that were taking place in the society. Conclusion Marxism is preferable because of the advantages that arise once it is utilized. It creates a balance in the society because it makes the society classless. Subsequently, it enhances stability by reducing the chances of conflicts from arising in the society. In comparison to elitism and pluralism, Marxism dictates to the government their role in enhancing stability in the society. However, the theory fails when it comes to addressing the challenges that result from revolutions. It provides solutions to the problems facing the society without clearly expressing the channels for tackling the problems. Despite the shortcomings of Marxism as an approach to governance, it is the best approach in societies where a majority of the populace is interested in wealth creation. For instance, the theory has worked in China, Russia and Cuba. Bibliography Hague, Rod, & Martin Harrop. Comparative Government and Politics: An Introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. Jessop, Bob. State Power: A Strategic-Relational Approach. Cambridge: Polity, 2007. Read More